AGARTALA, April 30 (TIWN): Tripura’s power situation continue to turn worst under the mismanagement of Power Minister Manik Dey and TSECL authorities, as they have not planned to meet the peak demand of 260MW. 101MW NEEPCO Monarchak Plant is generating power due to ONGC’s uninterrupted gas supply, said NEEPCO official. Talking to TIWN correspondent on Friday, a NEEPCO official said that there is no problem in gas supply and ONGC is continuously supplying gas to Monarchak, and Monarchak power plant is also able to generate a total of 65 to 70 MW power on an average on the gas turbine but yet to meet full capacity 101MW. Official also said that if ONGC continues its gas supply, Monarchak will be able to generate full load of 101MW which will help the grim power situation. Tripura's 101 MW gas-based Monarchak power plant was completely shut down due to lack of supply of gas from ONGC till February this year. Irrespective of OTPC, NEEPCO power generation plants, it is responsibility of Manik Sarkar led CPI-M Govt to make sure that Tripura doesn’t reel under loadsheddings in this brutal summer.

However, NEEPCO official on Friday confirmed that power generation is underway and is generating about 60 to 70 MW daily on an average.

It is to be mentioned here that if everything goes well Monarchak will be able to generate above 70 MW unit of power. Powered by Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited (ONGC), Tripura's 101 MW gas-based Monarchak power plant has begin its power generation on a regular basis. The power generated is also absorbed by TSECL and it is not sold outside the state, said official.

However, he further said that Monarchak is all set to do power generation provided ONGC provide adequate amount of gas to Monarchak.

NEEPCO official further said that ONGC has assured that they will be able to provide gas to Monarchak during the maintenance period of Palatana and Monarchak can carry generation during those days to support Tripura with power or else Tripura will go under complete shutdown.

Crippled power generation has hit the state with report of frequent load shedding from different parts of the state.  With the onset of summer season, power disruption has started on a frequent note posing a tough time for the common people.

NEEPCO has set up the Rs.9.5 billion (nearly $150 million) 101 MW capacity gas-based power plant in western Tripura's Monarchak.

NEEPCO was set up in 1976 to plan, design, construct, generate, operate and maintain power stations in the northeastern region, comprising eight states including Sikkim.

The eight states have a population of 45.58 million and the peak hour demand of electricity is around 2,200 MW.

Tripura's peak demand is only 260 MW, which unfortunately TSECL is unable to arrange even after severe power-cuts across State.